Feds Want ‘Black Boxes’ in New Cars, But Who Will Be Tracking You?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would like to make it mandatory for automakers to install a so-called “black box” in all new cars and light trucks.

The devices, also known as event data recorders, have long been used by investigators to discover the root cause of commercial airplane crashes. In recent years however, automakers have quietly begun installing similar products in more and more cars.

Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray of Massachusetts found out the hard way last year.

However the black box installed in his car revealed to police he was actually driving unbelted while travelling faster than 100 mph. Police issued a $555 ticket to Murray as a result.